4 minute read
Idaho Daycations
Time for a Roadtrip!
In the mood for an all-day adventure? With all the beautiful and interesting locations to visit, Southeast Idaho has a daytrip waiting for you no matter your interests or time of year! Historic sites, nature retreats, and outdoor activities can easily be explored by planning fun daytrips. Take the family or adventure on your own for a relaxing getaway.
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Tubing the Portneuf River in Lava Hot Springs
Heritage Retreat
Chesterfield is a village frozen in time. Located on the Oregon Trail, It has been a ghost town since the 1930’s and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town’s history encompasses many facets of the old west including famous military explorations, fur trading, the Oregon Trail, and the Mormon expansion. The site has 23 historic buildings, built between 1884 and 1904. Visitors come from all over the world to experience this significant landmark. On Memorial Day, join a celebration that includes food, an auction, a bazaar, and more! In summer, free daily tours are available from guides working on site.
Stellar State Park
Located on the mighty Snake River, Massacre Rocks State Park provides thrilling and fun things to do for an adventurous outing. Rent a canoe or kayak and ride the winding Snake River. Stop off on one of the sandy shoreline spots for a wilderness lunch. If you’re more of a land lover, check out the world-class disc golf course! The 18-hole course winds through big boulders and thick sage brush. Wildlife is close at hand with rabbits, lizards, and birds out and about. Rock climbers from beginner to expert take advantage of the park’s numerous routes. There are many more activities available like biking, boating, fishing, and Junior Ranger programs.
Lava Hot Springs Olympic Swimming Complex
Family-Friendly Fun
Start your Lava adventure with a dip in the famous Olympic Swimming Complex pool. The Olympic-sized pool contains a million gallons of water and features an indoor aquatic center, water and speed slides, and Olympic diving platforms. Another popular pastime is floating the world-famous Portneuf River. With its quick rapids and tube rentals, river floating makes for an excellent daytrip venture. If water fun isn’t what you’re looking for, Lava’s zipline course has thousands of feet of aerial action. The Lava Hot Go Karts also offers gasoline powered thrills for beginner and advanced riders. Race on one of two courses and weave around bends, berms, and hillsides. For golf enthusiasts, take your family to the Lava Hot Springs Golf Course and play a nine-hole round of golf surrounded by hills of the Dempsey Creek Valley. At the end of your day, visit one of the several local eateries for delicious food or soak in the world-famous hot pools.
Rockhound’s Corner
Discover earth that’s been transformed over thousands of years! Geological enthusiasts come from all over to witness Southeast Idaho’s famous mineral sites. China Hat is located near Soda Springs and is an exploratory wonderland for anyone who loves learning and seeing something unique. China Hat is a rhyolite dome formed around older volcano lava flows. There are many faults located in the area as well as “grabens”—German for “grave.” Grabens are depressions on the earth’s surface formed when blocks of crust drop down. Next on your geological daytrip, head over to Red Rock Pass where you’ll see remnants of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville. The pass cuts through Paleozoic shale, limestone, and dolomite which created a narrow gap two miles in length. With mountain ranges and lava fields, Southeast Idaho offers a “rocky” daytrip for any geology lover and explorer.
East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center
Winter Wonder Trip
Crystalline snowflakes, warm hot chocolate, and cold ears are signs that fun is about to be had in Southeast Idaho! The East Fork Mink Creek Nordic Center has winter activities for you and your group’s winter daytrip. Situated in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, the Nordic Center is only seven miles from Pocatello. Cross country skiers have access to classic or skate skiing on several groomed trails maintained by the City of Pocatello. You can also break out the snowshoes and hit the wilderness trails. A warming hut is found on location with picnic tables and a wood stove for heating. Kids of all ages are welcome to play on the recreational area’s sledding hill! Ski and snowshoe rentals, group lessons, and passes are all available on location. Layer up and enjoy the sparking snow and endless blue skies all day long!
Whatever your interests, a “daycation” in Southeast Idaho is easy to plan. Get out in nature, spend time with friends and family, and discover something new! You’ll thank yourself later.
